Summer nest sites of the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. in young woodlands of Lithuania

Selection of nest sites by the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. depends on habitat type and suitable plants that can support and hide dormouse nests properly. Lithuania is situated in the northern part of the distribution rage of M. avellanarius. Some peculiarities of nest site selection in these dormice could be expected here compared to the regions situated further south because of differences in composition of the woody vegetation. Searches for nests of M. avellanarius were carried out in different young woodlands of Lithuania at 16 study sites, and detailed study of nest site selection in this species was carried out in an over-grown clearing in 2005-2006. In comparison to other parts of its distribution range, significant prevalence of Norway spruce as a nest supporting plant was observed in Lithuania. More than 70% of nest of M. avellanarius (n = 120) found in different young woodlands were situated in young spruce trees. In habitats where suitable spruce trees were absent or scarce, young deciduous trees (e.g. oak, ash, aspen, lime, hornbeam) and shrubs (e.g. hazel, bramble, raspberry, willow, honeysuckle) were selected for nesting sites. In overgrown mid-forest clearing, young spruce trees were evidently preferred by M. avellanarius as nest supporting plants despite their comparatively scarcity. Planted oak trees were selected by M. avellanarius for nesting in the plot of the clearing where young spruce trees were almost absent. The average height of dormouse nests was 1.0 [plus or minus] 0.6 m above ground in young woodlands, and it was related to the age and height of young trees and shrubs.